Things to do in Manisa Province

Set off a Bible-oriented multi-day trip to the 7 churches of Asia Minor, including Pergamum, Sardis, and Laodicea. Immerse yourself in the history of Christianity as you explore Greek and Roman ruins. Stay in 4-star hotels during your tour and enjoy breakfast, dinner, and transportation included. Day 1: Arrival in Izmir Enjoy the convenience of being picked up at Izmir airport and driven directly to your hotel. Relax for the evening with dinner at your hotel. Day 2: Izmir, Pergamon, Thyatira, Izmir After breakfast, drive to Pergamum, mentioned in the New Testament as one of the 7 Churches of Asia Minor. Visit the Acropolis of Pergamum, an amphitheater perched dramatically atop a steep hill. Stop at the Asklepion, a famous medical center during the classical era. See the Altar of Zeus, which John the Apostle referred to as the “Throne of Satan.” Walk among the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan. Continue to Thyatira, another of the Seven Churches of Asia. Known in ancient times for its purple dyes, Thyatira is also the city where St. Lydia once lived. As you make your way through the city, you’ll have the chance to see ruins from Roman times. Enjoy a panoramic ride through Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia. Return to the hotel for dinner and some rest. Day 3: Izmir, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Hierapolis Depart to Sardis, now known as Sart was portrayed in the Book of Revelations as a dying church. Visit the Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele. Continue to Philadelphia, now known as Alasehir, another of the Churches of Asia and the only church not censured. Visit Laodicea the last of the seven churches. Drive to Hierapolis, a city known for its therapeutic springs. See the Pamukkale or 'Cotton Fortress', the travertines, and the terraces. Stay overnight in a Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale. Day 4: Pamukkale, Ephesus, Kusadasi Drive to Kusadasi and visit the ancient city of Ephesus. See the Basilica of St. John, which received an epistle from the apostle Paul who lived in Ephesus for 3 years. Tour the spectacular ruins where excavations still continue in this once great and important city founded over 2 millennia ago. Take a trip back in time as your walk along the marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Theatre. See the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a house said to have been the Virgin Mary’s home in her final years. Afterward, enjoy dinner at your hotel in Kusadasi. Day 5: Kusadasi , Izmir Your tour comes to a close as you are picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and then transferred to the Izmir airport.

Day 1 (Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna) Upon your arrival at Izmir, meet your tour guide and drive to Pergamum. There you'll explore the impressive Acropolis, the actual ancient city and see the Altar of Zeus. Later continue to Asklepion, the famous medical center of classical times, you'll also visit the Red Basilica (St. John’s Church) then continue the drive to Thyatira, now called Akhisar. There you'll see the remains of a basilica and some architectural fragments from the Roman period. Upon driving back to Izmir you'll enjoy a panoramic ride of Smyrna, the third largest city in Turkey and one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia. Overnight in Izmir (Breakfast-Lunch) Day 2  (Izmir, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Hierapolis ) Today you'll depart early in the morning to  Sardis where you'll visit the great temple which became a Byzantine Church later. You will also visit the restored gymnasium and the Synagogue. Then you'll continue the journey to Philadelphia. There you'll see the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of bricks, with a bit of high arch and some 11th-century frescoes. Afterward, you drive to the healing city of Hierapolis where hot mineral water bursts from the earth and cascades over steep cliffs forming pools. There you'll visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip. Then in Laodicea, you can walk the ancient streets of the city and see the ancient structures. Overnight in Pamukkale. (Breakfast-Lunch) Day 3 ( Ephesus, Kusadasi ) Drive to Ephesus and visit the ancient city of Ephesus. There you walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings such as the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Theatre. Later we drive to the House of Virgin Mary where she spent her last days and the assumption took place. After that, you visit the Basilica of St. John and Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast-Lunch) Day 4: Departure Day Today is the end of the tour, According your flight time meet with your driver at the hotel and drive to Izmir Airport.  (Breakfast)

Turkey, in antiquity known as Asia, was home to seven wondrous churches. It didn’t refer to an actual building, but rather seven Christian cities in Western Anatolia, which now lie in ruins. Visit these ancient places and walk the same steps that the world’s earliest Christians did. Before that, you’ll see all of Istanbul’s major sites, including the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Then you’ll travel to Izmir and start your tour of ancient Christianity, seeing many Roman ruins along the way. Soak in the thermal baths at Pamukkale, just as tourists have done for centuries – it was founded, after all, as a resort town by the Ancient Romans. Each step along the way, your expert guide will be there to provide you with context and information regarding each of these wonderful cities. Detailed Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival Arrive in Istanbul and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 2: Istanbul Tour Explore Istanbul and visit the historic old town. Then visit the Hippodrome, Istanbul’s first sports stadium, and the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque). Then visit the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace and a traditional bazaar. Day 3: Istanbul - Izmir Visit the Grand Bazaar before touring the port of Istanbul and seeing the Cistern of Istanbul. Flight to Izmir. Day 4: Pergamon – Thyatira – Izmir Explore the Pergamum Acropolis, and visit the Ancient Roman health center of Asklepieion. See the Red Basilica and continue on to Thyatira and back to Izmir. Day 5: Izmir – Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea – Hierapolis Visit the Sardis Church and ruins of the Temple of Artemis, then travel to Philadelphia Church. Then to the Roman resort of Pamukkale with its therapeutic thermal baths and the Cotton Castle. Finally, head to the Gate of Domitian, and the Nymphaion. Day 6: Ephesus – Kusadasi See the Basilica of St. John the Apostle. Then head to the ancient city of Ephesus and its Archeological Museum. Day 7: Izmir to Istanbul Relax in Kusadasi and flight back to Istanbul. Day 8: Departure Airport transfer in time for your flight.